Abstract
Hemodynamic studies of 94 patients with autopsy proven and/or clinically diagnosed cases of primary pulmonary hypertension were made. 30 were male and 64 were female and their average age were 31 years (11-66 yrs). These cases were divided into living (44 cases) and dead (50 cases) groups.
Since pulmonary arterial pressure was markedly elevated (PPA=63.5±17.0mmHg) and the cardiac index was slightly lower (2.88±1.00L/min/m2), calculated total pulmonary vascular resistance was increased significantly (1319±611 dynes sec cm-5). However, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure stayed within normal limits (7.4±4.5mmHg).
When compared living with dead groups, there was no significant difference in cardiopulmonary pressures. However, statistically significant difference were elicited in the CI (3.21±1.17 to 2.50±0.62L/min/m2, P<0.02), and RVWI (2.36±1.2 to 1.83±0.73kgm/min/m2, P<0.01).
Although there were no correlations between these hemodynamic parameters, the patients' prognosis was poor whoes PPA exceeds 50mmHg and CI was lower than 2.8L/min/m2 and/or PRA exceeds 6mmHg and RVWI was under 2kgm/min/m2.
